Our Stories: Returning to College as an Adult Learner
Throughout Helios’ 20th anniversary, the Foundation is sharing education stories from staff members, highlighting their education journey from getting into college to the educators who served as their biggest motivators.
As a Senior Administrative Assistant at Helios Education Foundation, Elizabeth (Liz) Sanchez supports and assists with project management for the Arizona Community Engagement team and the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy.
Since joining Helios nearly nine years ago, Liz has earned her associate’s degree at Phoenix College and several certificates. Keep reading to learn about her experience from early to higher education.
If you could describe in one word what education means to you, what would it be and why?
Transformation: To me, education is about evolving intellectually, emotionally, and socially. It’s the journey of becoming more aware, capable and confident. Education has transformed not only what I know, but how I see myself and the world around me.
Is there an educator who stands out to you/made a difference in your life?
My first educators weren’t found in the classroom; they were my mother and grandmother. From an early age, they instilled in me the value of education, not just as a path to success, but as a way of life.
At times, school felt intimidating, and I questioned whether I was good enough, but their voices were louder than my doubts. My mother and grandmother reminded me that I belonged in every classroom I entered, and because of them, I never saw graduation as the end, but as the beginning of something more.
What is your earliest memory related to education or being in school?
We spoke Spanish at home, so when I started kindergarten, I was enrolled as an English Language Learner. Our school had two classrooms side by side—one for Spanish-speaking students and one for English-speaking students.
I remember that the English-speaking classroom had newer toys, bright-colored letters and numbers and individual desks instead of shared tables. Even at that young age, I knew I wanted to be in that classroom. I worked hard all year and by the end of kindergarten, I was reassessed and moved into the English-speaking class.
That experience taught me an important lesson early on: If I worked hard and stayed determined, I could go far in school and in life.
Tell us about your education journey:
I always knew I wanted to go to college after high school. With this goal in mind, life brought beautiful changes. I met my husband, we got married, and I continued taking classes while pregnant with my first child. After welcoming my second child, I made the decision to take a break from school, not to give up, but to pause and focus on my growing family.
After my third child was born, I never let go of the belief that I would return to school when the time was right. When my children grew up and my youngest went to college, I decided it was finally my turn.
I’m proud to share that I completed my Associate of Applied Science in Organizational Management at Phoenix College, along with certificates in Organizational Leadership, Human Resources Management, General Business, and Management. My journey wasn’t traditional, but it was filled with purpose, persistence, and pride.
If there’s one message I hope to leave with others, it’s this: It’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Life may take unexpected turns, and sometimes our goals have to wait, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach. My journey has been shaped by resilience, family and the unwavering belief that education can transform lives.
I’m thankful for the support I received from Helios Education Foundation, which played a vital role in helping me return to college and complete my degree. Their investment in students like me is more than financial—it’s a vote of confidence in our potential.
I hope my story encourages others, especially parents, working adults, and those who’ve had to put their education on hold, to believe in themselves and take that next step. The path may not be easy, but it is absolutely worth it.